Justin Taylor

Justin Taylor
Occupation(s)	Student, artist
Years active	2000–2005 (series duration)
Known for	Character in Queer as Folk

Justin Taylor Kinney is a fictional persona featured in the American-Canadian Showtime drama series Queer as Folk, which centers on the lives of gay men and women residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Conceived by Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman, who also served as executive producers, the character of Justin was brought to life by American actor Randy Harrison throughout the show's entire five-season duration. This figure draws inspiration from Nathan Maloney, a character in Russell T Davies' original British version of Queer as Folk. Characterized by his hopeful outlook, Justin is a gay adolescent searching for belonging within Pittsburgh’s community. His romantic involvement begins during his senior year of high school when he loses his virginity to Brian Kinney, subsequently developing deep feelings for him; their relationship forms a core narrative thread. Justin's arcs explore his yearning for commitment and later focus on his artistic career progression.

In 2007, AfterElton ranked Justin third among the top 25 gay television characters ever portrayed.

Background and personality

Justin Taylor is depicted as a student attending St. James Academy, an exclusive private school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His father, Craig Taylor, operates Taylor Electronics, while his mother, Jennifer, works as a real estate agent. Initially in the first season, Justin’s parents grapple with accepting his sexual orientation; eventually, his father expels him from the home, resulting in estrangement. Over time, Jennifer grows supportive and becomes active in PFLAG.

Throughout school life, Justin endures bullying and spends considerable time alongside his closest friend Daphne Chanders. Academically gifted, he harbors ambitions to become an artist. Upon encountering Brian Kinney, Justin integrates into Brian’s social circle, where Michael Novotny’s mother, Debbie Novotny, welcomes him warmly as family. Romantic in nature, Justin desires exclusivity with Brian and later expresses intentions toward marriage and starting a family. He enrolls at the Pittsburgh Institute of Fine Arts and collaborates with Michael on the Rage comic book project.

Overview

Brian encounters Justin—a virgin—outside the gay nightclub Babylon and invites him home, igniting Justin’s affection for Brian. Justin breaks Brian’s rule against repeating sexual partners, causing friction with Brian’s close friend Michael Novotny.

Justin confides in Daphne, who subsequently requests that he be her first sexual partner. Although Justin declines her romantic proposal, their friendship remains strong.

In efforts to gain Brian’s attention, Justin enters and wins the "King of Babylon" dance competition; he also mimics Brian’s mannerisms, dances with Brian’s romantic interests, and invites him to prom. Initially rejected by Brian, Justin is later surprised when Brian dances with and kisses him at prom—an experience Justin describes as "the best night of [his] life." Soon afterward, Justin endures a violent attack that leaves him in a coma with permanent brain injury affecting hand mobility.

Despite acceptance to Dartmouth College, Justin opts to attend the Pittsburgh Institute of Fine Arts (PIFA) to pursue his art ambitions. Given his impaired hand function, Brian gifts him a specialized drawing computer. While at PIFA, Justin teams up with Michael to produce Rage, a comic featuring a gay superhero inspired by their own experiences.

Confronted with financial difficulties after his father refuses to fund tuition, Justin takes a job as a go-go dancer at Babylon despite Brian’s offers of monetary support. The physical and emotional strain culminates in a dangerous incident that leads Justin to quit and accept Brian’s help.

Justin starts dating Ethan Gold, a violin student, during a period when Brian appears emotionally unavailable. After Ethan's infidelity is revealed, Justin follows Daphne’s advice to seek employment at Brian’s advertising agency and eventually reignites his relationship with Brian.

Justin assists Brian in avoiding legal complications on two occasions: first by coercing Kip into dropping a sexual harassment lawsuit against Vanguard; then by uncovering the truth behind molestation allegations involving Brian’s nephew. Conflicts stemming from his relationship with Brian and interference in Chief Jim Stockwell’s advertising campaign prompt Justin to leave college.

In the final season, tensions rise between Brian and Justin’s relationship. Justin works on adapting Rage into a film project that ultimately gets canceled. Returning from Los Angeles to cohabit with Brian, he hopes for stability; however, Brian resists deeper commitment. Following a bombing at Babylon nightclub, Brian proposes marriage. As their wedding nears, both recognize that compromises are affecting their professional paths and personal identities. They mutually decide to cancel the wedding but affirm their love without formalizing it through vows or rings.

Before temporarily parting ways, Brian retains their rings while Justin assures ongoing frequent communication between them.

Recognition

In 2007, Justin secured the third position in AfterElton's list of the top 25 gay television characters, underscoring his significance as one of the most authentically portrayed gay adolescent figures on TV. Introduced at 17 years old in Queer as Folk, his narrative arcs encompassed establishing a Gay-Straight Alliance, enduring an assault motivated by homophobia, developing a popular underground comic, and gaining acclaim as an artist. Played by Randy Harrison, an openly gay actor, Justin was distinguished as the first openly proud and politically engaged gay teenager depicted on American television, bypassing conventional coming-out dilemmas and participating in stories with meaningful social themes.

External links

• Justin Taylor on Showtime's official site.